Mini Paceman MOT pass rate and common problems
88.5% of 14,319 Mini Paceman MOT tests pass.
The Paceman has a pass rate of 88.5%, a little higher than the average across all Mini models (83.6%).
The Mini Paceman passes its MOT 88.5% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Mini Paceman?
This is the average across every Mini Paceman in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Mini’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate stays relatively stable with age: 89.0% at 6–10 years versus 87.4% at 10–15 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | 89.0% | 10,102 | 60,643 miles |
| 10–15 years | 87.4% | 4,217 | 71,973 miles |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Mini Paceman
The most common reason the Mini Paceman fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 36.5% of failed tests, most often logged as "Too high".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 36.5% | Too high |
| Tyres | 36.4% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Brakes | 20.8% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Visibility | 10.1% | Provides insufficient washer liquid |
| Suspension | 9.1% | Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 8.2% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Body, chassis, structure | 3.1% | Cannot be opened from outside the vehicle |
| Road Wheels | 3.0% | Fixing missing |
| Identification of the vehicle | 2.3% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.0% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
Buying a used Mini Paceman: what to check
These checks follow the Mini Paceman’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 90,000–120,000 mi to 120,000+ mi: 83.2% down to 76.7%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 36.5% of failed Mini Paceman MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Tyres
Recorded in 36.4% of failed Mini Paceman MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 20.8% of failed Mini Paceman MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
4. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 10.1% of failed Mini Paceman MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
5. Suspension
Recorded in 9.1% of failed Mini Paceman MOTs.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Mini service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Mini models
- Mini One — 86.1% pass rate
- Mini John Cooper Works — 91.5% pass rate
- Mini Clubman — 86.3% pass rate
- Mini Cooper D — 78.0% pass rate
- Mini Roadster — 86.8% pass rate
- Mini Cooper SD — 82.3% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Mini Paceman?
- 88.5% of Mini Paceman MOT tests pass, based on 14,319 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Mini Paceman?
- The most common reason the Mini Paceman fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 36.5% of failed tests, most often logged as "Too high".
- What are the common problems with the Mini Paceman?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Mini Paceman are lights and electrics; tyres; brakes.
- What should I check when buying a used Mini Paceman?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; tyres; brakes; windscreen and wipers; suspension. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Mini Paceman's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Mini service history guide for how to check and keep one.